70 S, RHD, Signal Orange, UK->Australia->UK

[210bhp]

It really does look lovely in standard spec but then you knew I would say that. Now that you have a clip when the car was new ( who else has that !! ) I can’t see any other course of action but to restore to original or else you will forever be getting “it can’t be Clapton’s car, it looks nothing like it”.

However I’m sure you will do what pleases you most.
Nice historical result whatever you decide to do for the future.

Regards
Mike

[inaglasshouse]

Right, I think I'm going to review my planned bolt-on mods and decide which, if any, to ditch...

Body - original colour and finishes, nothing to see here.
Engine - standard
Gearbox - standard plus LSD

Suspension - My lovely exe-tc units are the wrong colour...

Rear wiper - delete
Rear wheels - 7Rs
Exhaust and rear panel - twin exhaust outlets below the bumper horns
Front bumper horns - not going to fit these (ugly IMHO)
S sill trims - visual crime, definitely wasn't going to fit these. Was going to have PORSCHE side lettering (correct font)
Front and rear bumper trims - plan was to replace with tape, lightweight style
Headlights - Biodes

Seats - Originally comfort, which weigh a ton and are not supportive. Replace with Recaro style fixed buckets.
Steering wheel - 380mm Porsche, with hockey puck

Various electrical improvements, don't affect the cosmetics.

Hmmmmmm.

BTW one thing I do like about the original spec, and which I'm going to adopt, is the lack of any exterior mirror.

[BILLY BEAN]

Richard,
I am not of the 'originality at all costs' school having one early 911 to original specification and one which is a very long way from it.
However, you already have a 911 that is some way from "original": not original colour exterior or interior (if memory serves) and not matching numbers along with various modifications. You could continue to modify and develop this car. It seems to me that with the car which is the subject of this thread you now have an opportunity to restore the vehicle to its original specification as you have a clear marker as to what that was. Additionally, as you appear to be able to prove a link with Eric Clapton the financial value of the car would be significantly enhance by returning it to its original specification. You may or may not be interested in this financial aspect.
I agree that the front overiders are ugly and the sill trims, whilst not "hideous", are not the most attractive aspect of a 911, I put these back on my 'S' as they were part of the original USA specification.
To state the obvious: it is your car and therefore can do as you please.
Regards Kirk

[Lightweight_911]

.

Eric Clapton doesn't look like he did when the car was new ...


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[911hillclimber]

I'm with Kirk, but I'm not one for bothering with originality normally, but with this provenance now it would always be a niggle at least that the car is now famous in today's market place.

Do what your heart says, forget the advice from us all!

[hot66]

The thing is, i love modding cars... my 2.4S isn’t stock

But, out on the road when thrashing on, stock or modified, there is never much between them . IMHO the difference comes from how they make you feel. If you enjoy driving a fettled car then do the subtle mods... if you’ll enjoy just as much a snap shot of 1970 then keep stock. Let’s be honest here , a 1970 2.2S is pretty much the factory hot rod of its time anyway

[visualfx]

Oh dear the originality police will be along later, an I don't think I can fit a headliner to anything other than a factory pure car

[inaglasshouse]

Many thanks all for your thoughts.
This is bothering me now. Talk about a first world problem. With that said, as the list shows, I've not exactly been radical - plan has always been that mods are bolt-on and easily reversible to standard spec, so it doesn't really matter much.

I think it's not so much the Clapton thing. Nor indeed the value - this car is not for sale (too much of my blood has been shed, and "find another" RHD S project like this one).
Strangely, since I have a CoA and therefore have always known most of the factory spec, I think it's the video that has destabilised my plans. There's something about seeing the car in action when brand new, hence knowing for certain how it looked, that makes it feel a bit wrong to mod it...

As you suggest Kirk, plans for other cars are also relevant. Hmmmmm.

[Ralph]

With that said, as the list shows, I've not exactly been radical - plan has always been that mods are bolt-on and easily reversible to standard spec, so it doesn't really matter much.

As you say - easily reversible at a later date if you fancy it. Your modified spec sounded perfect to me.

It's nice that you now have the history and videos but that doesn't mean you have to restore the car to as it appeared in the video - you didn't set out to do an accurate restoration to as new in the first place. The history of the car can never be taken away.

If the video had showed Eric running wide slot mags would you have hunted a set down?

[Darren65]

It's funny, when I first acquired my E I very much planned to build a modified car although the factory specification was so nice and the car too good, along with comments here swayed me to go back to stock.

Thank goodness the Mongrel came along or I would have been climbing the walls!

As much as I love my E I still dream of fitting lightweight RS rear flares, a twin-plug 2.7, 6's & 7's and a lightweight interior. Too much effort has gone into the car so I doubt I'll ever have the balls to do it and I've got my fix now anyway but if I hadn't......

....personally I'd continue with your original plans and build the car you want, nothing too radical, easily reversible and a pretty cool spec

If I ever get the opportunity again I'd never build another stock car.

[BILLY BEAN]

As much as I love my E I still dream of fitting lightweight RS rear flares, a twin-plug 2.7, 6's & 7's and a lightweight interior. Too much effort has gone into the car so I doubt I'll ever have the balls to do it ..

Not sure I buy into the "easily reversible" argument. Building a car takes time, money, commitment and determination. You can change wheels, suspension, brakes, engine and interiors etc. All easily reversible. The problem as I see it is more time, money etc is involved. There is also the matter of motivation and as Darren eloquently put it " the balls to do it". Theory is one thing but practice is another matter.
Kirk

[DustyM]

Would be great to return to that location once the car is finished and recreate that video clip.


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[inaglasshouse]

Would be great to return to that location once the car is finished and recreate that video clip.

That's Mr Clapton's driveway... anyone know him well enough to ask?
Very local to me, which is quite neat and tidy - after a long time away in Australia, my car has come home to Surrey.

[inaglasshouse]

As much as I love my E I still dream of fitting lightweight RS rear flares, a twin-plug 2.7, 6's & 7's and a lightweight interior. Too much effort has gone into the car so I doubt I'll ever have the balls to do it ..

Not sure I buy into the "easily reversible" argument. Building a car takes time, money, commitment and determination. You can change wheels, suspension, brakes, engine and interiors etc. All easily reversible. The problem as I see it is more time, money etc is involved. There is also the matter of motivation and as Darren eloquently put it " the balls to do it". Theory is one thing but practice is another matter.
Kirk

True enough Kirk, but since I've been such a chicken thus far with the hot rodding, the specific stuff in my list is mostly very easy to swap out. No weld-in cages or flared arches here.

[Hugh Jorgan]

It’s your car now, not Eric’s.

I’m sure no one would blame you, and in fact may do the same, it you recreated ‘Eric spec’ and sold it, with the provenance. I wonder what percentage the clapton connection adds??

Two terms have been used which I thought were interesting. Modify and develop.
I guess it’s how you view the changes you make to your car.
So many cars are advertised as original, then you see the list list of changes/modifications that have been done, but it’s still original.....!!
Build what you want.
Very few people ever get the opportunity to do a car like yours.






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